The more I drive south, to the province of Rajasthan, the more the landscape changes. It is a very dry province, almost desert, but very fertile because there is a lot of water available for irrigation. A disadvantage is that it is also getting dustier. I also think I notice it in the engine because sometimes the pit is out, so it's about time to check the air filter.
My destination is Jaipur, but because the distance is great, I stay 2 nights on the way. The first night is very boring along the main road. Not expensive and literally a cold shower.
That night I also sleep badly because I get more and more pain in my back. I doubt whether I will continue today, but the hotel is too bad, so with a mouthful of pills I get on the bike. It's a terrible route to the next town with potholed roads, sometimes hardly any asphalt and I often have to hide my pain. I stop as little as possible because getting on and off is more painful than driving.
Along the way I regularly see camels that, like horses, are used to carry or pull loads. Fortunately it is not too busy on the road, but it still takes me almost 6 hours to cover 260 km. When I arrive at Tourist Pension in Nawalgarh I am warmly welcomed and in the evening I enjoy the Indian cuisine with products from my own farm.
Unfortunately, the enjoyment passes quickly after that. The back pain quickly subsides, but instead I get a fever and aching muscles and joints. The second day, the fever reaches 40.5 C and the guest house owner, Rajesh, takes me to the hospital. I am especially afraid that I have contracted Dengue fever or malaria, but luckily the tests are negative. It turns out to be a virus infection and I get an IV to lower the fever and that works very well. A few hours later the fever is already 2 degrees less and after an infusion of food, with the necessary medicines in my pocket, I can go again.
The fever is almost gone now, but my body doesn't want to yet. It will be a few days before I am fit again. Anyway, I'll take my time with it. Luckily I am in a place where I am taken care of like family.
